Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control

• US 20040072574A1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: OʼNeil, Douglas R., Meadows, Vernon, Matz, William R., Bacon, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,006,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/453
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/81 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0112 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7414 QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0247 based on conditions of the access network or the infrastructure network central resource management H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 based on traffic conditions

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites, that are overloaded. When the traffic intensity on a particular facility exceeds a predetermined level, either active or passive control is imposed on subscribers that are in the geographic area of the facility. Active control involves blocking, delaying or disrupting subscriber calls during the critical time period. Passive control involves providing cost incentives or disincentives during low or peak periods of traffic intensity. Customers are notified of the commencement and/or termination of active or passive control preferably via SMS. When implemented with stationary cellular service, the systems and methods aid in traffic engineering and provide opportunities for customers to reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of telephone service.

Claims

1. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising:

a network control center that receives traffic data associated with at least one element of the communications network, and relays the traffic data to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores the traffic data; and

a traffic control application that, for each of the network elements;

extracts traffic data corresponding to the network element from the traffic engineering database; and

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the network element, based upon the traffic data corresponding to the network element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic control application further:

retrieves a list of affected communications devices that are associated with the geographic location, wherein a subscriber identifier associated with each affected communications device indicates a degree of control the traffic control measure exerts on that affected communications device; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic data indicates that a traffic intensity at the network element is outside of a predetermined range.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the traffic control measure prevents the affected communications devices from placing calls.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the traffic control measure alters a cost of placing calls from the affected communications devices.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected communications devices when the traffic control measure is implemented.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected communications devices when the traffic control measure is terminated.

8. The system of claims 6 or 7, wherein the message is an SMS message.

9. The system of claims 6 or 7, wherein the message is a call.

10. The system of claims 6 or 7, wherein the message causes the communications device to vibrate.

11. The system of claims 6 or 7, wherein the message causes the communications device to emit a tone.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device is a telephone.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device is a wireless device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device is a stationary cellular device.

15. A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a cellular network, the system comprising:

a plurality of cellular facilities;

a network control center that;

receives occupancy data associated with each cellular facility;

determines traffic intensity at each cellular facility; and

relays the traffic intensity to a traffic engineering database;

a traffic engineering database that stores traffic intensity; and

a traffic control application that;

extracts the traffic intensity corresponding to a selected cellular facility from the traffic engineering database; and

determines at least one traffic control measure to be imposed in a geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility, based upon the traffic intensity corresponding to the selected cellular facility.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the cellular facility is a cell site.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the cellular facility is a mobile switching center (MSC).

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the traffic control application further:

retrieves a list of affected cellular devices that are associated with the geographic location associated with the selected cellular facility; and

implements the traffic control measure with respect to the affected communications devices,

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the traffic control measure prevents the affected cellular devices from placing calls.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the traffic control measure alters a cost of placing calls from the affected cellular devices.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the network control center sends a message to the affected cellular devices, the message indicating that the traffic control measure is in effect.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the message is an SMS message.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the message is a call.

24. A method for implementing rates based on traffic on a communications network, comprising:

monitoring traffic intensity of a plurality of network elements;

if the traffic intensity at a selected network element is outside a predetermined range, retrieving a list of affected communications devices that are associated with the network element; and

implementing a traffic control measure according to a control plan associated with each affected communications device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the traffic control measure prevents each of the affected communications devices from placing a call.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the traffic control measure alters a cost of placing a call from each of the affected communications devices.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising sending a message to each of the affected communications devices to indicate that the traffic control measure is in effect.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein sending the message comprises sending an SMS message to each of the affected communications devices.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein sending the message comprises placing a call.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein sending the message comprises causing the communications device to vibrate.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein sending the message comprises causing the communications device to emit a tone.